Senior College & Career Newsletter

Scroll through for important information regarding College/Career

How to reach us?

For general questions and inquiries please email (Please do not use the link at the bottom of this Newsletter to contact us)

Ms Ignaitis: tignaitis@seq.org

All HCA, Study Skills Students and Last names A-L

and/or

Ms Yeager: tyeager@seq.org

All DAA, ELD Students and Last names M-Z

UPCOMING EVENTS/DUE DATES:

January 14- Meeting for Pursuit of Excellence Scholarship (See info below)

January 22 -Sequoia's Cash for College

Jan 31st: MYR will be sent out by end of the month

February 6 - Senior Community College Information/Fair (more to come)

Feb 8th - Cash for College at SHS - Complete your FAFSA/Dream App

Feb 6th- CSF Application Period (See information below)

Feb 14th-Sequoia HS Class of 2025 Senior Scholarship Application Due (see Scholarship section)

January-March- Various CSU Applications Deadlines (see 'CSU Section)

March 2nd - Priority Deadline for FAFSA/Dream Application

March 2nd - Deadline for Cal Grant (Last Day to Submit FAFSA/Dream Financial Aid Application for Cal Grant Eligibility)

Come to Flex Sessions for help with financial aid and community college applications.

Due February 6th

Seniors Must Turn in CSF Application During Your Senior Year to Be Eligible for Life Membership

DIRECTIONS

• The application must be completed and turned in by the STUDENT ONLY!

• Go to the College and Career’s CSF webpage for application form, course list, and more information or pick up a copy outside of the College and Career Center

• Applications must be turned in by Thursday, February 6th.

• NO Late Applications, NO Exceptions! Please complete it early!

• If you need help completing the application form, come to College and Career Center at lunch

SENIORS Benefits of Becoming Life Member Now

1. Your name will be in the pool for a random drawing for a $300.00 scholarship

2. You could be considered for CSF Seymour Award Scholarship nomination

1. SENIORS: IF you want to be considered for this scholarship - turn in your Naviance Resume along with your application by Feb 3rd to the College and Career Center.

Scholarship Opportunities

The majority of scholarship opportunities are available from January to the beginning of April.

Look at the Scholarship Section below for some December Scholarship listing

Click on the link in the scholarship section below for the updated list of scholarships listed in Naviance

DUE: February 28th

This scholarship is renewable (you get money for all four years in college) and has strict income guidelines around $65,000. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 It is local and every year more than one senior from Sequoia receives this scholarship.

Informational Meeting Tues Jan 14th 7th period (2:05-2:50pm) in Rm 128.

REMEMBER TO LAUNCH YOUR FAFSA/CADAA through CaliforniaCollege.edu

Login using your seq.org email (no password or username)

Click on sign in with Google

Hover over Financial Aid tab and choose Launch with either FAFSA or CADAA

January 22 - 6-8PM

February 8th - Saturday 830-1130

FAFSA/CADAA financial aid applications will be available starting December 1st. Sign-up to attend a Cash for College Workshop at Sequoia to get help completing your application. Please bring a parent, a copy of their 2023 taxes and W-2s.

Students completing Edgenuity credit recovery online courses for graduation and/or UC/CSU A-G requirements are required to take unit tests and cumulative tests in the Edgenuity lab in-person. The lab is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4pm-6pm in Room B-8 with Mr. Calles. The deadline for seniors is May 30, 2025.

These webinars will provide information to help students and families complete their financial aid applications - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) - for the 2025-26 academic year to maximize their financial aid eligibility. The priority deadline for 4-year institutions is currently Monday, March 3, 2025.

Please register for a webinar indicated below. These FREE webinars will be held on:

• *January 13, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM Register for webinar

Upcoming Webinars Listed HERE January 23, February 6, 12, and 18th

Register for webinar The dates with an asterisk will be translated live into Spanish. Register for the webinars through the links above or on the Cash for College Webinar Registration site.

January 23th

Launch your Future: NASA OSTEM Internships Virtual Webinar: Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 4–5 pm EST.

Join our NASA Internship webinar to explore internship opportunities, learn about eligibility and application requirements, and discover how to apply. Learn firsthand experiences from current interns and tips to make your application stand out. Whether you're a high school or college student, this session will guide you through everything you need to know to kickstart your NASA journey. Q&A included!

Please note that you must be a U.S. citizen to be eligible and participate.

Meeting links will be sent through email the week of the event.

REGISTER HERE

January 11-13: Available to view on Infinite Campus (If there are any errors, EMAIL your counselor right away.)

January 24: Uploaded to Naviance

January 31: MYR will be sent out

Who Needs to Request a Transcript?

Common Application Schools - If on your Naviance account as a CA school, a MYR will AUTOMATICALLY be sent - DO Not Request

UC - It is rare that a UC request a transcript (usually an international transfer student) - Do not request unless the college emails or it is a “to do” item (send Ms Ignaitis/Ms Yeager a screenshot and she will send)

CSU - Varies from student to student and school to school. - Do not request unless the college emails or it is a “to do” item. (if requested, send transcript request through Naviance)

Out of State Schools - Varies from student to student and school to school. A lot of public out of state colleges DO NOT want transcripts at this point - they do not have staff to process them LIKE University of Oregon and Washington. PLEASE READ EMAILS and CHECK PORTALS (if requested, send transcript request through Naviance)

Please list every school that you applied to on Naviance including CSUs and UCs. We can’t submit documents until you list them on Naviance. Also, make sure you note that you submitted your application as well.

Email your counselor, Ignaitis/Yeager, and teachers of the colleges you are not applying (one email to all) and complete this FORM (Only Students using their seq email can complete the form)

Process of Submitting Application and School Documents

When we submit documents for your 1st due date, we submit them to all the schools on your list and there is NO way we would know if you added or removed a school, unless you tell us.

Check Portals and Emails Often

Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information. To meet all deadlines, check your email and portals weekly and DO NOT WAIT to complete your “To Do” list.

When a student submits their first application to any campus, regardless of the priority deadline, they will not be able to make any changes to any subsequent application. If students need to report any corrections or updates, please have them contact the campuses they applied to directly.

Next Steps: AFTER YOU SUBMIT APPLICATION

Soon after you apply, you will receive an email from the CSU with directions on how to set up its portal. Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information.

Check Portals and Emails Often

Every school is a little different so make sure to keep track of your login information. To meet all deadlines, check your email and portals weekly and DO NOT WAIT to complete your “To Do” list.

Campuses will send out notice of their admissions decision by March 31, 2025.

Lastly, applicants should apply for financial aid as soon as possible. At the CSU, about 80% of students receive some kind of financial aid, and 60% of undergraduates have their tuition completely covered by grants or other non-load aid.

Find out more about what to expect after you’ve submitted a CSU application.

CSU Application Deadline EXTENDED for some schools:

Later Deadlines are available for some CSUs, visit the Application Dates & Deadlines page for more information on which campuses are still open and their deadlines.

Students who expressed interest and the intention to apply to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) on Cal State Apply for fall 2025 should check individual campus EOP application and documents deadlines on the EOP Admission by Term website. Document deadlines include letter of recommendations. Students can still go back into Cal State Apply to indicate they are interested in applying for EOP if they haven’t missed the campus deadline.

Did you get in ED or EA and have decided to attend a specific college?

Each campus has specific instructions for their individual process if an applicant wishes to cancel or withdraw their application from further consideration. This only applies to students canceling or withdrawing prior to admission.

See campus instructions for canceling/withdrawing a UC application.

You must tell each UC if you changed your schedule (dropped courses) or received a D or F during the Fall 2024 semester.

Minor changes to your activities, awards, volunteer work or employment are unlikely to have an impact on your admission decision.

NOTE Each Campus has a different policy:

Campus instructions & websites for reporting changes

Deadline: January 31, 2025

As in previous years, UC selects a random sampling of applicants who are required to verify information in their application. The selection and notification take place in mid-December. Applicants are notified by postal mail, email and text message that they have been selected for verification, along with instructions on how to meet the requirements.

The instructions sent to the selected applicants detail how to complete the process as well as a list of appropriate documentation. The deadline to respond is January 31, 2025. Failure to respond to the request by the deadline will result in cancellation of the application.

All MYR will be submitted by your counselor by Friday, January 31st

Common Application Schools Require a Mid-Year Report (MYR) Information

Most MYR include only your new GPA and 7th semester transcripts. They also include any change in course work listed on your School Report (SR).

MYRs will be sent automatically if you requested a SR through Naviance IF YOU HAVE LISTED THE COLLEGE AS A COMMON APP School (if there is a ? mark –EDIT it to Common Application if the school needs a MYR)

If you need to speak to your counselor about some personal situation that should be included in your MYR, please make an appointment right away.

Non Common Application Private Colleges

If you had a school report sent to a non- Common Application college, send an email to your counselor ASAP, if a MYR is required.

CSS Profile is an online application that collects information used by hundreds of colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs to award financial aid from sources outside of the federal government. After you submit your application, the College Board sends it to the colleges and scholarship programs you have chosen.

Who Should Complete

Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile. Check with the ones you’re interested in to see if they require it.

When to Complete

Start your CSS Profile by visiting cssprofile.org at least two weeks before the earliest college or scholarship priority application date you need to meet. This date is the college or program’s deadline for submitting a completed CSS Profile application.

How Much It Costs

CSS Profile is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. First-year domestic undergraduate students may submit CSS Profile for free if your family adjusted gross income is up to $100,000 or you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, or you are an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24. CSS Profile fee waivers cover all application and reporting fees. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver submitting your CSS Profile to one college or scholarship program costs $25. Additional reports are $16 each. To qualify for the SAT-based fee waiver, students must log in to CSS Profile using the same College Board account used for the SAT. Providing eligible students with fee waivers for College Board programs and services is integral to our mission of connecting students to college success and opportunity.

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APPLICANTS

You are responsible to keep your list up to date to

ADDING a College:

1. You must contact your counselor to get a NEW SR/LOR ELECTRONIC Form (No Signatures are needed on this form)

2. Once completed, turn in to your counselor

3. Add the college on Common App (it should automatically be added to Naviance but check)

3. Submit a NEW teacher LOR request on Naviance

REMOVING a College: Email your counselor, Ignaitis/Yeager, and teachers of the colleges you are not applying (one email to all) and complete this FORM (Only Students using their seq email can complete the form)

Process of Submitting Application and School Documents

When we submit documents for your 1st due date, we submit them to all the schools on your list and there is NO way we would know if you added or removed a school, unless you tell us.

For the Education – Grades Section of the Common Application

• Class Rank Reporting – Do not rank

• Graduating Class Size – 464

• GPA Scale – 4

• GPA Weighting – Weighted

• Guidance FAX – (650) 306-8893

• Graduation Date – June 6, 2025

• Your Official GPA- Overall weighted GPA - first one listed on your transcript

We will focus on the community college application process the second semester of school.

SAVE THE DATE: Community College Info Night and Fair will be February 6, 2025

The steps to enroll are different for each site. Go to the websites below for more information.

• Canada College: https://canadacollege.edu/admissions/new-student.php

• Skyline College: https://skylinecollege.edu/outreach/pep.php

• De Anza: https://www.deanza.edu/apply-and-register/index.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)

• Foothill: https://foothill.edu/reg/admission/highschool.html (not available for Fall 2025 until the spring)
  

Updated January lists are now NOW AVAILABLE.

Click HERE to go directly to the Sequoia High School website for the most updated scholarship and student opportunities lists. How to Access Scholarships on Naviance (9-12th Grades)

If you find a scholarship you are interested in and want the link to the website or more information be sure to log in to your Naviance account, under the College tab, click on Scholarships and Money, then Scholarship list, and put the name of the scholarship in the search box, then click on the name of the scholarship.

California PEO Scholarships - Multiple Scholarships for California Women Residents

DUE: January 15th

Dorothy Weller Scholarship: women working toward a career in the field of law

Ethel Gardner Scholarship: women studying a variety of academic field

Scholarship Selection Committee: 41 scholarships with varying specification

Silicon Valley Engineering Council (SVEC) High School Award

Due: Jan 15th

Engineering and Technology students graduating from high school are eligible. Recognizes high school engineering and technology students for their dedication, focus, and commitment to engineering.

Due: Jan 24th

For first-generation students pursuing a 4-year degree in nursing. Must have volunteering and extracurricular involvement.

Due: Jan 28th

Grades Eligible: 10th-12th

Earn entries in monthly drawings for $500 and $40,000 scholarships by completing steps to plan for college. The sooner you start and the more steps you complete, the more chances you’ll have to win

Due: Jan 29th

Grades Eligible: 11-12th

For juniors/seniors with financial need who have attended a Jobs for Youth workshop and registered as a member. Minimum GPA 2.0.

Due January 31st

The scholarship program is open to all high school seniors graduating in 2025 with a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Information about our scholarship program, the link to download the scholarship application, and the process to submit the scholarship application. US citizen or legal resident, ANY ethnic/racial background

Link to the application is within the FAQ on their website

Due January 31st

For HS seniors of all gender identities & sexual orientations. To recognize service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community.

DUE: February 7th

The Peninsula College Fund is excited to begin the application process for the 2025 PCF Scholarship Program! PCF is a scholarship given to multiple Sequoia students each year. Students need to have a 2.8-3.8 UNweighted GPA, plan to attend a four-year college, and come from a low-income family(documented).

This is a four-year renewable scholarship and a great opportunity!

Due: Feb 14th

All Sequoia seniors can now apply for the 2025 SHS Senior Class Scholarship available on Naviance. By applying, you are eligible for over 20 scholarships that will be awarded by the senior scholarship committee. To access the scholarship application, go to Naviance →About Me → Surveys from my school and complete the “2025 SHS Senior Class Scholarship.”

Important Process Below:

When you are researching colleges to apply to, check to see if they have scholarships and programs that require nominations.

For example, Davidson College has the Belk Scholarships which provides 8 full-ride scholarships to students who are selected. Also, Washington University in St. Louis has the Danforth Scholars Program that awards partial and full-tuition scholarships based on merit and does not consider need as part of the award process. Both of these examples require being nominated in order to apply.

After you research your colleges, if you find a scholarship or program you want to be nominated for, complete this form three weeks prior to the nomination deadline to be considered.

DUE: January 17th

ELIGIBLE AGES: 14-18

Design a poster highlighting job safety and health for teens. See website for details.

Due: Jan 30th

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

All grades. Focus of scholarship is to help students understand the negative effects of too much screen time. US citizen or legal resident.

DUE Feb 1st

Welcome aspiring young authors, and thank you for your interest in the $1000 for 1000 Words Creative Writing Contest! We’re looking for an outstanding piece of short fiction that consists of exactly 1000 words. As long as you do so in precisely 1000 words

For More Information click here

Due February 1st

2025 Topic: Write a piece describing a common object you would make "smart". Tell us what it would do, how it would help people, and what could go wrong.

Open to all high school students! More Information and Application HERE

DUE: January 15th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 11th and 12th

As a Student Leader, you will participate in an eight-week paid internship at a local nonprofit organization where you will learn first-hand about the needs of your community and the critical role nonprofits play. In addition, you will learn valuable civic, social and business leadership skills. Each Student Leader will attend the Student Leaders Summit held in Washington, D.C. where you will learn how government, business and the nonprofit sector work together to address critical community needs. WEBSITE

DUE: Jan 20th

ELIGIBLE GRADES: 9-12th

As a Ballotpedia Fellow, students will research assigned local candidates, gathering contact information, campaign websites, social media profiles, and more. Fellows are asked to volunteer 5-10 hours per week during the program. WEBSITE

Week long program and scholarship

Due Jan 31st

Grades Eligible: 9th - 12th

The Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR) recognizes and rewards high school students who, through their volunteer activities, have undertaken significant efforts to advance racial equity and understanding in their schools or communities. All expenses paid trip to week long symposium. Must have an adult sponsor not related to you. WEBSITE

Volunteer

all year

Grades Eligible: 9-12th

To sign up to volunteer, visit our website by selecting one of the following options:

Sort food at our warehouses, Distribute food to community members - Distribution sites are located in nearly every neighborhood in Silicon Valley,

Deliver food to homes – Load your vehicle and deliver healthy groceries to homes of seniors and other homebound clients in Santa Clara or San Mateo County. You must be 18 years old to volunteer for this activity. WEBSITE

ELIGIBLE AGES: 14+

DPS Rescue is searching for new volunteers for our biweekly events in Palo Alto! We welcome volunteers of all experience levels and backgrounds, ages 14+, and offer community service credits/sign-offs if needed. Complete form on their WEBSITE.

1. Check your email for confirmation that your application has been submitted.

1. If you do not receive an email, log back into your application, and verify that you submitted it. Also, verify that you submitted an application for the correct school year. It should be for the year you will be in college.

2. After a few days, check your email for confirmation that your application has been processed.

1. If you do not receive an email, log back into your account, and check for any error messages.

2. For FAFSA filers, contact Federal Student Aid for questions about processing your application. For CADAA filers, contact CSAC for questions about processing your application.

See this document for full instructions about Next Steps. Copies available in College and Career Center.

• Students were given a FAFSA/CADAA Worksheet in their Social Studies Class. This is just as a guideline for what information you will need to have in order to complete the FAFSA/CADAA starting in December. (sorry for any confusion)

• The district will be sending out information about AB 132, that requires all public school districts and charter schools in California to confirm that all high school seniors have completed a FAFSA or CADAA, unless the student opts out

• If families do not want to complete the FAFSA/CADAA, you can go to the district's Financial Aid Resources webpage to complete an opt-out form (scroll all the way to the bottom of the page)

Sequoia Union High School District submitted your GPA to Cal Grant November 6, 2024

Make sure your Infinite Campus information (name and address) is correct to avoid matching problems. If something needs to be change, contact the counseling office

No Verification Form is needed AFTER submitting your FAFSA/Dream Application!

Radiologists are doctors who specialize in interpreting medical images, like X-rays, MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging), CT scans (computed tomography), and ultrasounds. These images help them spot problems like broken bones, tumors, or infections that are not visible on the outside of the body.

In addition to radiologists, there are other healthcare professionals in radiology, like radiologic technologists, who operate the imaging equipment, and radiation therapists, who use radiation to treat cancer.

Key Roles in Radiology:

1. Radiologic Technologist (X-ray Tech):

• These professionals use machines like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs to capture images of the body.

• They prepare patients for imaging procedures, operate the machines, and make sure the images are clear and accurate.

2. Radiologist:

• A radiologist is a doctor who specializes in reading and interpreting medical images to diagnose diseases and conditions.

• They work closely with other doctors to determine the best course of treatment.

3. Radiation Therapist:

• Radiation therapists treat cancer patients by using radiation (like X-rays or gamma rays) to target and destroy cancer cells.

• They work with oncologists (cancer doctors) to deliver precise doses of radiation.

Education & Career Path:

1. Radiologic Technologist:

• Typically requires an associate’s degree (2 years) and certification.

• You can find programs in community colleges or technical schools.

• Some states also require licensing.

2. Radiologist:

• Becoming a radiologist requires a bachelor's degree (4 years), followed by medical school (4 years), then a radiology residency (about 4-5 years).

• Radiologists can specialize in different areas, like pediatric radiology (for kids) or interventional radiology (where they use imaging to guide medical procedures).

3. Radiation Therapist:

• Requires an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, along with certification.

• The education focuses on medical imaging, patient care, and radiation safety.

Resources for Learning More:

1. American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)

• Website

• Offers resources about the profession, educational programs, and career paths.

2. Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)

• Website

• Provides information about radiology as a field, career opportunities, and educational resources.

Cool Facts About Radiology:

• Radiology is one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare, with advanced technologies like AI (artificial intelligence) helping doctors interpret images faster and more accurately.

• Radiologists are often referred to as "the doctors' doctors" because they provide crucial information that helps other doctors make medical decisions.

Foothill Community College has a Radiology Tech Program: Learn about the program HERE

Goetz Bros. Sporting Goods is looking to hire part-time sales associates. Students usually work 6-10 hours a week, after school and on Saturdays. Sports experience is nice but not a must and no work experience is required. Tasks will include customer service, inventory management and assistance with custom decoration. For more information or to apply contact Brent Goetz, brent@goetzsports.com or 650-366-4082

ELIGIBLE GRADES/AGE: Juniors and Seniors

$17.00 hour Looking for students with good math and reading skills who are available to work approximately 6 - 8 hours per week on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Ideal part time job for high school or college students. Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

If interested email qualifications and resume to kumonsancarlos@gmail.com

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 16yr+ (Must have own transportation)

Looking for high school students with exceptional math skills through Algebra I and Geometry to join our team! We offer competitively paid part-time jobs at Sequoia Station with flexible scheduling and ongoing training opportunities. Join us for the opportunity to make a REAL difference in a child’s life by passing on a love for math!

Our starting salaries are $17.00-$19.00 depending on what level of math the instructors can teach.

If interested, please apply online

Pick up a flier in the College and Career Center

ELIGIBLE AGE/GRADE: 15yr+

Part-time work is available teaching after-school group Piano Classes at local elementary schools, as well as private lessons (in all instruments) in-person or online. Pay is $60/hour for group classes and $45/hour for private lessons. Please apply online at http://hummingbirdmusicschool.com/about

Students: visit the website for a number of How-To videos that Sequoia Counselors made for help with common application, scholarships and much more!

Complete the 2024-2025 Meal Application

We want all families to complete this confidential meal application so that qualifying students can receive reduced cost bus passes, internet, prom tickets, grad night tickets, college application fees and IB testing registration. To complete the meal application, click here.

Needs to be completed every year!

If you missed the Grade Level 4YR College & IB Meeting on August 28th

The grade-level presentation in English and Spanish ( without the recording) and handouts are available on the Sequoia College and Career webpage.

Dec 8-14, 2024 ANNOUNCEMENTS: PCF Info Meeting FINANCIAL AID- Sequoia’s Cash for Colleges (Help with FAFSA/CAADA), Sticker Price v What you Pay GENERAL 4 YR: What to do after you’ve submitted your applications: Some Schools Require Self-Reported Academic Record, Add all Colleges to Naviance UC: Random LOR CSU: Fee Waivers PRIVATE/COMMON APP: Deferred What to do next

Dec 15-21, 2024 CSU: Changes or updates to a submitted application UC: Supplemental Applications From UC Counselor Bulletin COMMON APP: What is Early Decision 2 and Which Colleges Offer It? - From Maia Learning

Dec 22, 2024-Jan 11, 2025 CSU: Changes to Application UC: Supplemental App, Application Verification, Common App Transcripts and Mid Year Reports, FINANCIAL AID: Next Steps After Submitting your FA

SECOND SEMESTER